The regular meeting of the Utah Transportation Commission was held in the Tooele City Council Chambers, 90 North Main Street, Tooele, Utah, and called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Vice-Chairman Kent Millington. He excused Commissioners Holt and McConkie from the meeting and welcomed those attending.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Zeenati moved to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2013, Commission tour and Staff Update meeting, and the October 11, 2013, Commission meeting. Commissioner Holbrook seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved.

LOCAL AREA PRESENTATION BY REGION TWO

Bryan Adams, Region Two Deputy Director, welcomed everyone to Tooele and gave an overview of the Region’s presentation. He then turned the time over to Dave Schwartz, who presented information on projects completed in Tooele County in the past five years, as well as future planned projects. He also gave an update on upcoming major projects in Salt Lake County.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Introductions were made of the Commissioners, UDOT staff, elected officials and others who were attending. Bruce Clegg, Tooele County Commissioner, commented on their good relationship with the past and present UDOT Region leadership. He also shared his thoughts about the Midvalley Highway and how crucial the north section is to the County. Mayor Brent Marshall from Grantsville City spoke on how the Midvalley Highway would allow communities to grow and help economic development in the valley. Rep. Doug Sagers, Utah House of Representatives, stated that safety is a huge issue for the Tooele Valley, and access to and from Salt Lake is problematic right now. He also commented on the Midvalley Highway. Jerry Hurst, Tooele County Commissioner, said he appreciates the work that was done at the SR-138 and Erda Way intersection. Now that it’s done, it will save some lives. He also expressed the need for the Midvalley Highway.

Peter Carroon, Ninegret Group, discussed Phase 1 of the Midvalley Highway and areas that are not developed yet but could bring jobs to the Tooele Valley. He also mentioned trying to promote rail to the area. Roger Borgenict, UBET, talked about their shared solution for an alternative to the West Davis Corridor and how that area in West Davis County can maintain quality of life. He noted that some public comments on the draft EIS challenge that the freeway is unnecessary and unwanted, as east/west travel is the main problem in Davis County. Craig Smith said he’s a land owner in Tooele County and has not seen an alignment of the Midvalley Highway. He knows it crosses his property but doesn’t know where. He’d like to be notified of what’s going on with the project. Mike Quarnberg, New West Realty, commented on the issues that are being faced by realtors in the county. One of the biggest issues for people moving in or out of the county is the commute to Salt Lake. The Midvalley Highway is really needed and he would like to see it happen in his lifetime.

UDOT SCOREBOARD

Randy Park, Project Development Director, gave the report on the Construction program, and Jason Davis, Engineer for Operations, gave the report for the Safety program.

PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING

2014 STIP Amendment #2

Programming Funding Adjustments

At Award & Post Construction

Bill Lawrence, Program Finance Director, reviewed the lists of projects requesting programming adjustments at award and post construction. He also reviewed the chart showing the Region’s contingency balances with the proposed funding adjustments.

Commissioner Zeenati moved to approve the transfer of funding for adjustments at award and post construction, as explained. Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

TAP Funds

Region One

Bill Lawrence said that Region One was given TAP funds for 2014, and by partnering with local governments, the TAP funds were able to be stretched from $500,000 to $1.6 million worth of projects. Mr. Lawrence reviewed the list of projects and asked for approval of the Region One projects.

Commissioner Barlow moved to approve adding the Region One TAP Fund projects to the STIP. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cox and unanimously approved.

Region Four

Bill Lawrence said Region Four was given $500,000 in TAP funds for 2014 and they would like to use $480,000 to fund the SR-12; Bike Path Extension, Phase 3 project. This project partners with Garfield County’s soft match of $143,300, with the county providing clearing and grubbing, and placing all base material. This will stretch the funds from $480,000 to $623,250. Mr. Lawrence requested approval of the Region Four project.

Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve adding the Region Four TAP Fund project to the STIP. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Rehabilitation Program

Rehabilitation Program List – List Approval

Bill Lawrence reviewed three modifications that have been made to the 2014 Pavement Rehabilitation Program list of projects. Commissioner Millington noted a discrepancy between the fact sheet and spreadsheet descriptions of the third project, with the fact sheet showing SR-193; I-15 to SR-232 and the spreadsheet showing SR-193; I-15 to SR-126. It was noted that the correct description should be SR-193; I-15 to SR-126 and should be reflected in the motion. Mr. Lawrence requested approval of the FY 2014 Purple Book list, and to add the SR-53; Lincoln Ave. to US-89 project to the STIP as a stand-alone project.

Commissioner Barlow moved for approval of the FY 2014 Pavement Rehabilitation program list, with the correct project description of the SR-193; I-15 to SR-126 project, and to add the SR-53; Lincoln Ave. to US-89 project to the STIP. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cox and unanimously approved.

Bill Lawrence said Region Two is requesting that additional funding be added to the SR-201/SR-202 Intersection Realignment and Signal project. The risk based estimate, along with the base estimate, indicates the project is underfunded by $2 million. Several high level risks that were unknown at the time of the concept report were identified, including the extent of soil stabilization, subsurface utilities belonging to Kennecott containing hazardous materials in them, width, depth and structure of the KUC canal, and the extend of mitigation needed for the wetlands.

Commissioner Zeenati moved to approve adding $2 million to the SR-201/SR-202 Intersection Realignment and Signal project. Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

SR-201; 9200 West to 5600 West Project – Scope Change

Bill Lawrence said the current scope of the SR-201 project is from 9200 West to 5600 West. The pavement condition in the area between the current project limit and the bridge at 9450 West is in poor condition. During the scoping phase of the project, Maintenance requested the project be extended to address this pavement section. It is believed there is enough contingency in the current project to meet this additional scope. Mr. Lawrence requested approval of the additional scope for this project.

Commissioner Cox moved to approve the additional scope for the SR-201; 9200 West to 5600 West project, as explained. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Bill Lawrence said Region Two is requesting approval to exceed the $3 million threshold on a Pavement Preservation project and to advertise the SR-71; Bangerter Highway to Redwood Road project for $4 million. Adding $2 million to the project will allow the project limits to go from Bangerter Highway to I-15. Completing both sections in one year makes it so the public is not inconvenienced in back to back years.

Commissioner Zeenati moved to approve exceeding the $3 million threshold on a Pavement Preservation project and allowing the SR-71; Bangerter Highway to Redwood Road project to be advertised. Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion and it was approved.

SR-145; Pioneer Crossing Extension to SR-73 – Funding Adjustment

Bill Lawrence said Region Three is requesting to add $5.8 million to the SR-145; Pioneer Crossing Extension to SR-73 project, currently programmed at $23 million. They would like to transfer $778,000 from the SR-73; Ranches Road to Redwood Road project and $1.3 million from the I-15; S Payson Interchange to Spanish Fork River project. An additional $3.8 million would come from the statewide balance available from previously closed capacity projects. Teri Newell provided further information on the project.

Commissioner Barlow moved to approve the additional funding for the SR-145; Pioneer Crossing Extension project, as detailed. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Mr. Lawrence brought up that there was incorrect information in the FY 2014 & 2015 Rehabilitation Projects spreadsheet provided for item 5A-3. He indicated that the project location is listed as SR-193; I-15 to SR-126, which is the current project limits. However, the scope being added to the project is from I-15 to SR-126; therefore, the correct description/project location should say SR-193; SR-232 to SR-126.

Commissioner Barlow moved to amend his previous motion regarding the Rehabilitation Program list to reflect the change of the Purple Book project description from SR-193; I-15 to SR-126, to SR-193; SR 232 to SR-126. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the amended motion and it was unanimously approved.

SIB Request – Cedar City

Bill Lawrence explained that Cedar City is requesting approval for a loan from the State Infrastructure Bank to complete additional work on the South Cedar City interchange. They are requesting $722,000 at 1.06% interest for four periods at $185,308.47 payment per period. Rick Torgerson, Region Four Director, reviewed the South Cedar Interchange project in further detail, including information about the DDI interchange, project scope, current funding plan, and schedule.

Commissioner Cox moved to approve the SIB loan request from Cedar City, as explained. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barlow and unanimously approved.

Aeronautics

Vernal Municipal Airport

Moab/Canyonlands Municipal Airport

Bill Lawrence stated that as part of the 2014-18 SCIP, pavement preservation projects were approved by the Commission in July 2013, for the Vernal and Moab airports. Recent FAA 139 inspections identified a need for new pavement marking work to improve safety. The current request for both airports is to use the previously approved preservation funding, along with additional state funds, to complete those safety projects with limited pavement preservation work. This request is for an additional $85,500 of state funds for the 2014 project at the Vernal Municipal Airport, and an additional $45,000 of state funds for the 2014 project at the Moab/Canyonlands Municipal Airport.

Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the additional $85,000 of state funds for the Vernal Municipal Airport project, and the additional $45,000 of state funds for the Moab/Canyonlands Municipal Airport. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

UDOT QUALITY PROGRAM UPDATE

Todd Jensen from Project Development gave a PowerPoint presentation on UDOT’s Quality Program. His presentation answered the questions of ‘why have a Quality Program for UDOT and what are the benefits of a Quality Program,’ and explained the results of a Quality Program in action, UDOT’s Quality Program work plan, the Quality Program’s potential return on investment, and program funding and schedule requirements.

Carlos Braceras, Executive Director, reported that UDOT was the recipient of the America’s Transportation Awards Grand Prize and the 2013 President’s Transportation Award for Highways for the I-15 Core project in Utah County, which Mr. Jensen was a big part of. Mr. Jensen also announced that he would be retiring from UDOT on November 22nd.

Director Braceras explained that there is an issue with the interest rate that was approved for the SIB loan to Cedar City. In the SIB guidelines, it says the interest rate is tied to the State of Utah bonding rate and loan duration. In discussions that have just taken place, Zion’s Bank is saying that the rate on a four year note today is .7 percent. With the addition of .75 percent, per SIB guidelines, the total rate for the SIB loan to Cedar City would be 1.45 percent, not the 1.06 percent that was calculated previously. Director Braceras suggested that the earlier motion be amended to reflect that the interest rate would be set at the time of execution, and pending approval by Cedar City.

Commissioner Cox moved to amend his earlier motion to approve the SIB loan request from Cedar City to reflect that the interest rate would be set at the time of execution, and pending approval by Cedar City. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the amended motion, and it was unanimously approved.

CULVERT PROGRAM UPDATE

Cory Pope, Director of Program Development, distributed some handouts and gave an update on UDOT’s Culvert Improvement program. He reported that UDOT had undertaken an effort to inventory and identify critical locations where pipe culvert repair or replacement should be initiated, as many of the pipe culvert systems servicing the State highway system had exceeded their intended design life. Out of about 30,000 that were surveyed, 17,000 were in good shape, 5,000 were in poor shape, and the rest were in fair shape. About 115 were known to have severe distortion or corrosion. Mr. Pope said that funds were distributed last spring to address critical culverts. He then reviewed the list of locations and treatments that were part of the Culvert Improvement Program.

REQUEST FOR USE OF CORRIDOR PRESERVATION FUNDS

Tony Arnone/Heritage Property Mgt. – US-89

Lyle McMillan distributed a handout of the Marda Dillree Corridor Preservation Budget and Obligations and reviewed the information contained in it.

Mr. McMillan said there was only one application to review today. It is for the Tony Arnone/Heritage Property Management property located on the southwest corner of Cherry Lane and US-89 in Layton, which is under threat of development. The appraisal came in at $838,000 for 2.137 acres, and the Corridor Preservation Advisory Council recommends purchasing the property to prevent further development.

Commissioner Barlow moved to approve the purchase of the Tony Arnone/Heritage Property Mgt. property. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

UDOT PROPERTY EXCHANGE

Richard Winkel – SR-77/I-15 Interchange in Springville

Teri Newell said this request has to do with the Frontage Road realignment at the SR-77/I-15 Interchange in Springville. They would like to obtain the property Richard Winkel owns in Springville (appraised at $560,000) so they can close off the existing frontage road access to SR-77 and move the access as far away as possible from the I-15 interchange. Lyle McMillan reviewed the surplus property that UDOT would exchange with Mr. Winkle, including property in American Fork (appraised at $425,000) and Layton (appraised at $175,000). Mr. Winkle would also pay $40,000 to UDOT at closing to make the trade more even.

Commissioner Barlow moved to approve the property exchange with Richard Winkel. Commissioner Cox seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Auditor’s Report

Commissioner Millington commented on the Management Letter from the Office of the State Auditor that the Commissioners received. Director Braceras provided additional information regarding two specific items addressed in the Audit and how the Department responded to the findings and recommendations.

FHWA Report

Arlene Kocher from FHWA offered her assistance with the ISO 9001 certification for UDOT’s Quality Program, and announced that Ivan Marrero was selected as the new Utah Division Administrator.

AASHTO Awards

Carlos Braceras stated that in addition to the previously mentioned awards that the I-15 Core project received, UDOT also received the AASHTO Safety Leadership Award during the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Denver last month for their Zero Fatalities efforts.

Commission Committee Reports

Commissioners Holbrook and Millington mentioned the Governor’s Transportation Summit that was held last week as part of UDOT’s Annual Meeting. Commissioner Barlow mentioned the Corridor Preservation Advisory Committee meeting that was held, and also noted that he attended his first Passenger Ropeway Safety Committee meeting. Commissioner Cox announced his resignation from the Transportation Commission, due to his son being appointed Lt. Governor. He said he has really enjoyed his time on the Commission, which made it a difficult decision. Commissioner Millington thanked Commissioner Cox for his service and for his valuable contribution to the Commission and the State.

Upcoming Transportation Commission Meetings

The next regular Utah Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The following meeting dates have been scheduled: